Option	Details
Processing
Extraction Mode	Manual Archive Extraction Set the Extraction value to "Manual Archive Extraction" when the archive file has already been manually extracted on the server. This can be done through your host's control panel such as cPanel or by your host directly. This setting can be helpful if you have a large archive file or are having issues with the installer extracting the file due to timeout issues. PHP ZipArchive This extraction method will use the PHP ZipArchive code to extract the archive zip file. PHP ZipArchive Chunking This extraction method will use the PHP ZipArchive code with multiple execution threads to extract the archive zip file. Shell-Exec Unzip This extraction method will use the PHP shell_exec to call the system unzip command on the server. This is the default mode that is used if it's available on the server. DupArchive This extraction method will use the DupArchive extractor code to extract the daf-based archive file.
Server Throttling	If the current host is a budget host that monitors CPU usage, then users might want to consider checking this box to help slow down the process and not kick off any high-usage monitors.
Extraction Flow
Archive Action	Extract files over current files The existing site files will be overwritten with the contents of the archive.zip/daf. ^Pro Remove WordPress core and content and extract The existing WordPress core files and WordPress content directory will be removed, and then the archive will be extracted. ^Pro Remove all files except add-on sites and extract All files except an add-on site will be removed, and then the archive will be extracted. An add-on site is a site/domain that is stored in a directory off of your main site that has been "added on" to your main hosting account. For instance, when you purchased a hosting account it could be for a.com. Then after that, you decided to add b.com and c.com to the same hosting account. The structure of this setup is often the following although it can vary some: /public_html - contains files for a.com /public_html/b.com - contains files for b.com /public_html/c.com - contains files for c.com The directories /public_html/b.com and c.com contain the files for the add-on sites b.com and c.com (so the option above means that b.com and c.com would be preserved and not deleted when you installed to a.com)
Skip Files	Extract all files Extract all files from the package archive. This option is selected by default. ^Pro Skip extraction of WordPress core files Extract all files except WordPress core files. Choose this option to extract only the wp-content folder and other non-core WordPress files and directories. ^Pro Skip extraction of WordPress core files and plugins/themes existing on host Extract all files except WordPress core files and existing plugins/themes on the current host. ^Pro Extract only media files and new plugins and themes Extract all media files, new plugins, and new themes. The installer will not extract plugins and themes that already exist on the destination site.
File Times	When the archive is extracted it should show the current date-time or keep the original time it had when it was built. This setting will be applied to all files and directories. Note: Setting the Original time is currently only supported when using the ZipArchive Format.
File Permissions	Switch on and set permissions in either octal or symbolic values to assign permissions to files. This option is not available on Windows machines.
Directory Permissions	Switch on and set permissions in either octal or symbolic values to assign permissions to directories. This option is not available on Windows machines.
Configuration Files
WordPress wp-config	Do nothing This option simply does nothing. The wp-config file does not get backed up, renamed, or created. This advanced option assumes you already know how it should behave in the new environment. This option is for advanced technical persons. Modify original This is the default recommended option which will modify the original wp-config file. Create new from wp-config sample This option creates a new wp-config file by modifying the wp-config-sample.php file. The new wp-config.php file will behave as if it was created in a fresh, default WordPress installation.
Apache .htaccess	Do nothing This option simply does nothing. The .htaccess is not backed up, renamed, or created. This advanced option assumes you already have your .htaccess file set up and know how it should behave in the new environment. When the package is built it will always create an .htaccess file at this location: `/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/.htaccess` Since the file is already in the archive file it will show up when the archive is extracted. Retain original from Archive.zip/daf This option simply copies the /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/.htaccess file to the .htaccess file. Please note this option will cause issues with the install process if the .htaccess is not properly set up to handle the new server environment. This is an advanced option and should only be used if you know how to properly configure your .htaccess configuration. Create New This is the default recommended option which will create a new .htaccess file. The new .htaccess file is streamlined to help guarantee no conflicts are created during install. Notes: Inside the archive.zip or archive.daf will be a copy of the original .htaccess (Apache) file that was set up with your packaged site. The .htaccess file is copied to /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_htaccess. When using either "Create New" or "Retain original from Archive.zip/daf" an existing .htaccess file will be backed up to a /wp-content/backups-dup-lite/installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_htaccess. This change will not made until the final step is completed, to avoid any issues the .htaccess might cause during the install
General php.ini, .user.ini, web.config	OVERVIEW When the archive is built it will always create an original backup of the php.ini, .user.ini, and web.config files ("Config Files") if they exist. The backups will be in the following location within the archive file without an extension. `Original File Backups archive.zip\|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_phpini archive.zip\|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_userini archive.zip\|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_webconfig` If there are "Config Files" on the new server, backups may also optionally be created. Backup [location] is defined by the following: source_site Backup of original file when the archive was created on the source host installer_host Backup of original file before the installer starts on active host ACTIONS Do nothing This option performs no actions and assumes you already have your configuration files set up properly; either on the server or in the archive. If the same "Config Files" exist in both the deploy directory and the archive, then the archive files will overwrite any configuration files that exist at the same location in the archive. Retain original from Archive.zip/daf Moves any existing "Config Files" on the new host to the following location: `/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/installer_host_[CONFIG-TYPE] An existing "Config File" resides on the server before the archive is extracted or step 1 is ran.` The installer last step copies all "Config Files" from the archive backups to the correct location on the new host. They are copied from this location: `/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_[CONFIG-TYPE]` Reset Moves any existing "Config Files" on the new host to the following location: `/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/installer_host_[CONFIG-TYPE] An existing "Config File" resides on the server before the archive is extracted or step 1 is ran.` If any "Config Files" already exist in the archive they will be deployed "as is" to the location that matches the archive file structure.
General
Logging	The level of detail that will be sent to the log file (installer-log.txt). The recommended setting for most installs should be "Light." Note if you use Debug the amount of data written can be very large. Debug is only recommended for support.
Cleanup	^Pro Remove disabled plugins/themes Remove all inactive plugins and themes when installing site. Inactive users will also be removed during subsite to standalone migrations. ^Pro Remove users without permissions Removes users that currently do not have any permissions associated with their accounts.
Safe Mode	Safe mode is designed to configure the site with specific options at install time to help overcome issues that may happen during the install where the site is having issues. These options should only be used if you run into issues after you have tried to run an install. Disabled This is the default. This option will not apply any additional settings at install time. Enabled When enabled the safe mode option will disable all the plugins at install time. Note: When this option is set you will need to manually re-enable the plugins that need to be enabled after the install from the WordPress admin plugins page.

Option

Details

Processing

Extraction
Mode

Manual Archive Extraction
Set the Extraction value to "Manual Archive Extraction" when the archive file has already been manually extracted on the server. This can be done through your host's control panel such as cPanel or by your host directly. This setting can be helpful if you have a large archive file or are having issues with the installer extracting the file due to timeout issues.

PHP ZipArchive
This extraction method will use the PHP ZipArchive code to extract the archive zip file.

PHP ZipArchive Chunking
This extraction method will use the PHP ZipArchive code with multiple execution threads to extract the archive zip file.

Shell-Exec Unzip
This extraction method will use the PHP shell_exec to call the system unzip command on the server. This is the default mode that is used if it's available on the server.

DupArchive
This extraction method will use the DupArchive extractor code to extract the daf-based archive file.

Server
Throttling

If the current host is a budget host that monitors CPU usage, then users might want to consider checking this box to help slow down the process and not kick off any high-usage monitors.

Extraction Flow

Archive Action

Extract files over current files
The existing site files will be overwritten with the contents of the archive.zip/daf.

^Pro Remove WordPress core and content and extract
The existing WordPress core files and WordPress content directory will be removed, and then the archive will be extracted.

^Pro Remove all files except add-on sites and extract
All files except an add-on site will be removed, and then the archive will be extracted. An add-on site is a site/domain that is stored in a directory off of your main site that has been "added on" to your main hosting account. For instance, when you purchased a hosting account it could be for a.com. Then after that, you decided to add b.com and c.com to the same hosting account. The structure of this setup is often the following although it can vary some:

/public_html - contains files for a.com
/public_html/b.com - contains files for b.com
/public_html/c.com - contains files for c.com

The directories /public_html/b.com and c.com contain the files for the add-on sites b.com and c.com (so the option above means that b.com and c.com would be preserved and not deleted when you installed to a.com)

Skip Files

Extract all files
Extract all files from the package archive. This option is selected by default.

^Pro Skip extraction of WordPress core files
Extract all files except WordPress core files. Choose this option to extract only the wp-content folder and other non-core WordPress files and directories.

^Pro Skip extraction of WordPress core files and plugins/themes existing on host
Extract all files except WordPress core files and existing plugins/themes on the current host.

^Pro Extract only media files and new plugins and themes
Extract all media files, new plugins, and new themes. The installer will not extract plugins and themes that already exist on the destination site.

File Times

When the archive is extracted it should show the current date-time or keep the original time it had when it was built. This setting will be applied to all files and directories. Note: Setting the Original time is currently only supported when using the ZipArchive Format.

File
Permissions

Switch on and set permissions in either octal or symbolic values to assign permissions to files. This option is not available on Windows machines.

Directory
Permissions

Switch on and set permissions in either octal or symbolic values to assign permissions to directories. This option is not available on Windows machines.

Configuration Files

WordPress
wp-config

Do nothing
This option simply does nothing. The wp-config file does not get backed up, renamed, or created. This advanced option assumes you already know how it should behave in the new environment. This option is for advanced technical persons.

Modify original
This is the default recommended option which will modify the original wp-config file.

Create new from wp-config sample
This option creates a new wp-config file by modifying the wp-config-sample.php file. The new wp-config.php file will behave as if it was created in a fresh, default WordPress installation.

Apache
.htaccess

Do nothing
This option simply does nothing. The .htaccess is not backed up, renamed, or created. This advanced option assumes you already have your .htaccess file set up and know how it should behave in the new environment. When the package is built it will always create an .htaccess file at this location:


                /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/.htaccess

Since the file is already in the archive file it will show up when the archive is extracted.

Retain original from Archive.zip/daf
This option simply copies the /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/.htaccess file to the .htaccess file. Please note this option will cause issues with the install process if the .htaccess is not properly set up to handle the new server environment. This is an advanced option and should only be used if you know how to properly configure your .htaccess configuration.

Create New
This is the default recommended option which will create a new .htaccess file. The new .htaccess file is streamlined to help guarantee no conflicts are created during install.

Notes: Inside the archive.zip or archive.daf will be a copy of the original .htaccess (Apache) file that was set up with your packaged site. The .htaccess file is copied to /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_htaccess. When using either "Create New" or "Retain original from Archive.zip/daf" an existing .htaccess file will be backed up to a /wp-content/backups-dup-lite/installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_htaccess. This change will not made until the final step is completed, to avoid any issues the .htaccess might cause during the install

General
php.ini, .user.ini,
web.config

OVERVIEW

When the archive is built it will always create an original backup of the php.ini, .user.ini, and web.config files ("Config Files") if they exist. The backups will be in the following location within the archive file without an extension.


                Original File Backups

                archive.zip|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_phpini 

                archive.zip|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_userini 

                archive.zip|daf/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/[location]_webconfig

If there are "Config Files" on the new server, backups may also optionally be created. Backup [location] is defined by the following:

source_site Backup of original file when the archive was created on the source host
installer_host Backup of original file before the installer starts on active host

ACTIONS

Do nothing
This option performs no actions and assumes you already have your configuration files set up properly; either on the server or in the archive. If the same "Config Files" exist in both the deploy directory and the archive, then the archive files will overwrite any configuration files that exist at the same location in the archive.

Retain original from Archive.zip/daf

Moves any existing "Config Files" on the new host to the following location: /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/installer_host_[CONFIG-TYPE] An existing "Config File" resides on the server before the archive is extracted or step 1 is ran.
The installer last step copies all "Config Files" from the archive backups to the correct location on the new host. They are copied from this location:
/dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/source_site_[CONFIG-TYPE]

Reset

Moves any existing "Config Files" on the new host to the following location: /dup-installer/original_files_[HASH]/installer_host_[CONFIG-TYPE] An existing "Config File" resides on the server before the archive is extracted or step 1 is ran.
If any "Config Files" already exist in the archive they will be deployed "as is" to the location that matches the archive file structure.

General

Logging

The level of detail that will be sent to the log file (installer-log.txt). The recommended setting for most installs should be "Light." Note if you use Debug the amount of data written can be very large. Debug is only recommended for support.

Cleanup

^Pro Remove disabled plugins/themes
Remove all inactive plugins and themes when installing site. Inactive users will also be removed during subsite to standalone migrations.

^Pro Remove users without permissions
Removes users that currently do not have any permissions associated with their accounts.

Safe Mode

Safe mode is designed to configure the site with specific options at install time to help overcome issues that may happen during the install where the site is having issues. These options should only be used if you run into issues after you have tried to run an install.

Disabled
This is the default. This option will not apply any additional settings at install time.

Enabled
When enabled the safe mode option will disable all the plugins at install time. Note: When this option is set you will need to manually re-enable the plugins that need to be enabled after the install from the WordPress admin plugins page.

Option	Details
Table Prefix	^Pro This option allows changing the table prefix to other than the package creation site's table prefix. The table prefix is the value placed in the front of your database tables. It is possible to have multiple installations in one database if you give each WordPress site a unique prefix.
Mode	Modes affect the SQL syntax MySQL supports (and others such as MariaDB) . This setting performs various data validation checks. This makes it easier to use MySQL in different environments and to use MySQL together with other database servers. It is very useful when running into conversion issues. The following options are supported: Default: This is the recommended setting to use. It will use the current Database mode setting. Disable: This will prevent the database engine from running in any mode. Custom: This option will allow you to enter a custom set of mode commands. See the documentation link below for options. For a full overview please see the MySQL mode and MariaDB mode specific to your version. To add a custom setting enable the Custom radio button and enter in the mode(s) that needs to be applied.
Processing	Chunking mode Split the work of inserting data across several requests. If your host throttles requests or you're on a shared server that is being heavily utilized by other sites then you should choose this option. This is the default option. Single step Perform data insertion in a single request. This is typically a bit faster than chunking, however it is more susceptible to problems when the database is large or the host is constrained.
Create	Run all CREATE SQL statements at once. This option should be checked when source database tables have foreign key relationships. When choosing this option there might be a chance of a timeout error. Uncheck this option to split CREATE queries in chunks. This option is checked by default.
Objects	Allow or Ignore objects for "Views," "Stored Procedures," "Functions" and "DEFINER" statements. Typically the defaults for these settings should be used. In the event you see an error such as "'Access denied; you need (at least one of) the SUPER privilege(s) for this operation" then changing the value for each operation should be considered.

Option

Details

Table Prefix

^Pro This option allows changing the table prefix to other than the package creation site's table prefix. The table prefix is the value placed in the front of your database tables. It is possible to have multiple installations in one database if you give each WordPress site a unique prefix.

Mode

Modes affect the SQL syntax MySQL supports (and others such as MariaDB) . This setting performs various data validation checks. This makes it easier to use MySQL in different environments and to use MySQL together with other database servers. It is very useful when running into conversion issues. The following options are supported:

Default: This is the recommended setting to use. It will use the current Database mode setting.
Disable: This will prevent the database engine from running in any mode.
Custom: This option will allow you to enter a custom set of mode commands. See the documentation link below for options.

For a full overview please see the MySQL mode and MariaDB mode specific to your version. To add a custom setting enable the Custom radio button and enter in the mode(s) that needs to be applied.

Processing

Chunking mode
Split the work of inserting data across several requests. If your host throttles requests or you're on a shared server that is being heavily utilized by other sites then you should choose this option. This is the default option.

Single step
Perform data insertion in a single request. This is typically a bit faster than chunking, however it is more susceptible to problems when the database is large or the host is constrained.

Create

Run all CREATE SQL statements at once. This option should be checked when source database tables have foreign key relationships. When choosing this option there might be a chance of a timeout error. Uncheck this option to split CREATE queries in chunks. This option is checked by default.

Objects

Allow or Ignore objects for "Views," "Stored Procedures," "Functions" and "DEFINER" statements. Typically the defaults for these settings should be used. In the event you see an error such as "'Access denied; you need (at least one of) the SUPER privilege(s) for this operation" then changing the value for each operation should be considered.

Important Days

Guru Purnima 2025: How Digital Gurus Are Redefining Mentorship in the Modern Era

dailybees

July 8, 2025

1760

Digital Gurus: How Technology Is Shaping Modern Mentorship

Introduction

In today’s time where everything is digitized, the ancient bond between a Guru and disciple has taken a new form. While tradition placed the gurus in sacred ashrams or under those huge banyan trees. Today, the gurus can often be found on a YouTube channel, in a Zoom webinar, or through Instagram Reels. As we celebrate Guru Purnima, a day that pays tribute to the guiding lights of our lives. It’s worth asking who the Gurus of today are. And what do they do to reshape the lives of individuals, and what does mentorship mean in this digital age?

Significance of Guru Purnima in Indian tradition

India, being a culturally rich country, has great significance for the spiritual festival of Guru Purnima. The day is celebrated on the full moon day (Poornima) of the Hindu month Asadh (June-July). The day honors Ved Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas and authored the Mahabharata. He is considered the ultimate guru figure. More than a religious event, Guru Purnima is a cultural ode to mentorship, wisdom, and self-growth. Students and devotees often express gratitude to their spiritual, academic, or personal teachers, who play a role in shaping their lives, minds, and bodies.

From ashrams to online platforms: the evolution of the “Guru”

Historically, the guru was accessible primarily to a few. The Guru-Shishya ritual was prime, and it used to be an immersive journey of life transformation. Over the years, the definition of guru has changed with the digitization and the evolution of the internet.

Today, mentorship is not restricted to an ashram and does not require physical proximity. A student in a small town of Bihar can learn Mathematics from the top professors of the world or can receive spiritual guidance on meditation from a monk in the US. This can all be done just via a screen.

Rise of digital mentors and online learning in the 21st century

COVID-19 was a turning point in this evolution. With 1.6 million students affected by the school closure globally, the digital mentorship saw a rise. According to a report by UNESCO, online learning grew by over 900% globally between 2020-2022. Educational platforms like Udemy and Coursera saw millions of new enrollments each year.

Beyond academics, the concept of mentorship expanded to life coaches, health coaches, spiritual healers, and skill-based creators. The audience not only sought knowledge from them but also got clarity, healing, purpose, and transformation.

Who Are Digital Gurus?

Definition and role of digital gurus in today’s context

Digital Gurus are the mentors who use digital platforms to guide, inspire, educate, and transform others. They combine traditional wisdom with online tools and platforms to make mentorship scalable and accessible.

Educators, influencers, spiritual guides, and life coaches online

Digital gurus come in various avatars, guiding each phase of your life.

Educators like Khan Sir and Udemy tutors share knowledge on academics
Spiritual guides like Sadhguru, Saint MSG, and Jay Shetty deliver ancient wisdom in modern language
Various influencers use content to share life lessons or career advice
Fitness experts help people transform their lives
Coaches and therapists offering practical advice on mental health, finance, fitness, and productivity through relatable content.

Platforms where digital gurus thrive: YouTube, Instagram, Udemy, Coursera, etc.

The digital platforms where you can find these digital gurus include:

YouTube, where they offer long-form video tutorials, vlogs, and spiritual discourses
Instagram for sharing bite-sized videos, words of wisdom through reels
Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer paid and free structured courses from best in the industry teachers
Other platforms include Podcasts & Newsletters, Telegram, Discord & WhatsApp communities, which offer intimate, recurring mentorship sessions

Types of Digital Gurus

Educational Mentors

Educational mentors are redefining schooling. Some good examples include:

Khan Academy: Over 135 million users globally learning math, science, and economics for free.
Unacademy & BYJU’s (India): Create India’s top UPSC, IIT-JEE, and NEET mentors with millions of aspirants.
TopCoder & LeetCode: Hosting elite programming mentors and competitions for coders worldwide.

These educators make subjects accessible, turning complicated topics into digestible, high-quality content with animations, practical examples, and interactive formats.

Spiritual & Motivational Guides

Spirituality also has found a new home online. Many spiritual masters like Sadhguru, Saint MSG, and Premanand Ji Maharaj have millions of followers on YouTube. These gurus help make ancient wisdom relevant, offering peace in a fast-paced world.

Skill-Based Coaches

Skill-based coaches include a wide spectrum, like career mentors, fitness trainers, financial advisors, and productivity experts. Some examples could include Ali Abdaal, Ankur Warikoo, and FitTuber. They share knowledge using short-form content, mini-courses, exclusive communities, and digital downloads.

Why Are Digital Gurus So Popular Today?

In this fast-paced life where people barely have time to go to different places to learn from the best in the industry, these digital gurus bridge that gap since they are accessible from the comfort of home. Geography is not a barrier. A child in a small town can now learn from Harvard professors or spiritual monks without ever leaving their home, and at their own pace. Digital mentorship often offers customized learning paths, feedback loops, and one-on-one engagement through comments, lives, or group communities

With the changing trends, these gurus speak in a peer-like tone that resonates with the generations. They speak in memes, pop culture references, or reel formats, breaking complex concepts into snackable, shareable wisdom.

The best part is that most digital gurus offer free or low-cost content that makes learning inclusive. People don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to learn something.

Challenges & Responsibilities of Digital Mentorship

Misinformation and lack of authenticity

With easy access comes a downside too. Not everyone sharing knowledge online is a qualified mentor. Many of them are self-proclaimed gurus who offer half-baked advice, leading to misinformation, scams, or unrealistic expectations. One needs to be mindful of who they listen to and follow.

Emotional connection vs. screen-based learning

While content online may be impactful but the lack of physical presence can sometimes dilute emotional bonding. The real energy exchange that is often spoken of in traditional mentorship is hard to replicate on screens.

Ensuring ethical teaching and trust-building online

Digital gurus should also hold the responsibility to offer value over virality, protect the well-being of society, and be transparent about their qualifications and intentions.

Digital Gurus & Guru Purnima: A New-Age Connection

Celebrating online mentors who are changing lives

From Instagram educators to YouTube monks, digital gurus are transforming lives, often without ever meeting their followers. On this Guru Purnima, let’s acknowledge all those influencers, spiritual masters, content creators, and educators who help millions find their purpose in life.

How Guru Purnima 2025 is more inclusive thanks to digital learning

Guru Purnima 2025 is not just about lighting incense in temples. Since the gurus have started offering us value digitally. It’s time for us to make the celebrations digital too. You can post gratitude reels for your mentor, attend online celebration sessions, or comment ‘Thank you’ to their piece of content that transformed your life.

Real-life examples of people transformed by online mentors

The real-life examples are many. Some of them are:

A farmer’s daughter in Rajasthan who learned spoken English from YouTube and now works remotely as a virtual assistant.
An obese girl got inspired by a fitness trainer and lost 90 kgs.
A corporate employee who healed anxiety through daily videos by Saint MSG.
A teenage coder from Shillong who cracked Google Summer of Code after learning from free GitHub and Discord communities.

These stories show that a guru’s power is not in their location, but it’s in their intention.

Conclusion

Even when the format changes, the core of a guru remains constant. Mentorship endures in everything from ashrams to Discord servers, from old texts to Instagram remarks.

Let’s honour mentorship in all its forms on this Guru Purnima. Both are influencing lives, dreams, and futures, whether it’s a coding instructor helping you ace your first job or a spiritual guru assisting you on your path to enlightenment.

Because the true guru transforms rather than merely instructs.